Programming and technology specialists warn that Macau is far behind mainland China when it comes to using AI to improve quality of life and drive economic development. Alfred Wong, a professor at the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Macau, says that the attention generated by the new DeepSeek model presents a good opportunity for Macau and China to accelerate the development of this technology and its practical applications. “AI can be used in many different areas; as it becomes more intelligent, it further advances our lives,” he told PLATAFORMA.
The news hit international markets like a bombshell. DeepSeek, an artificial intelligence model produced by a startup in Hangzhou, has demonstrated performance equivalent to that of American rivals such as OpenAI, despite being developed at a fraction of the cost. The Chinese model was also released as open-source, which could spark a wave of new advancements in the sector.
According to Wong, AI could be particularly helpful in repetitive tasks such as “speech writing, PowerPoint presentations, and design, among others,” but it should be used alongside each worker’s professional expertise. “If we can apply AI in our daily lives and work, we can free up time to learn more advanced knowledge and improve our professional performance.” However, he warns that “more appropriate laws” are needed to address the consequences of AI applications; otherwise, Macau will fall behind other countries or cities in this field. “We also need to provide more training for our residents. This generation needs to embrace AI in their lives,” he concludes.
Behind the Mainland
AI research has been considered an important tool in achieving the goals outlined in the 2nd Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) of the Macau SAR. However, in the 2024 Policy Address, the final act of Ho Iat Seng as Chief Executive, there was only one mention of this technology, referring to efforts to “deepen students’ scientific literacy” in AI. There has yet to be any specific mention from the new administration under Sam Hou Fai.
In mainland China, an Artificial Intelligence Law has been in the works since March last year, but the Macau SAR has yet to move forward with similar legislation. Last year, Macau’s Director of Postal and Telecommunications Services, Debbie Lau, announced that the government would adopt a “wait and see” strategy, first observing regulatory framework experiments in places like the European Union before using them as a reference. “We do not yet have legal regulations to oversee the use of AI. Since its implementation in the city is still in its early stages, the government will wait to see what happens and analyze regulations such as the EU framework,” Lau stated. “The extension of AI applications to personal life needs to be studied closely, and EU directives could serve as guidance,” she concluded.
For Rickie Too, a technology professional, the level of AI usage in Macau compared to mainland China shows “significant differences (…) For example, in logistics and supply chain management, large language models now play a crucial role in automatically generating planning instructions and cost forecasts for managers, based on real-time inventory and supplier data.” These tasks “previously required the involvement of programmers and data analysis teams to make planning adjustments.”
Too helped develop WISOO A.I, the first local platform based on AI technology for the public transport system. However, he points out that AI applications in Macau remain quite limited, as it is a city “essentially geared toward tourism, particularly focused on luxury tourism.” He explains that “one of the main values of the sector is hospitality, which requires a level of personalized and welcoming service that AI cannot currently replicate. Therefore, AI-controlled service robots do not have much practical use in real-world hospitality.”
Despite this, Too believes there are specific sectors where AI can bring substantial improvements, particularly in education and healthcare. “Even in well-developed cities, these two areas often have significant shortcomings that frustrate citizens. AI has strong potential in both fields, making them ideal areas for us to focus on,” he concludes.
